Stoic Glow has been working as a royal guard for over ten years now. She’s witnessed so many things since joining this field, things that would keep regular ponies up at night. She likes to believe that her mental fortitude is second to none, but lately, she’s been pushed to an edge she can’t negotiate herself from. Even as she walks the empty halls of Canterlot castle, she rhythmically looks over her withers, as if something is hunting her.

In many ways, she’s accurate in her mindset. Something has been hunting her for well over a month now. A beast that knows no restraint and does whatever it pleases with the ponies that come close enough for it to grab hold of. However, she appears to be its primary target as of late. Thinking about it always makes her nervous, as she believes thoughts are enough to bring it to existence.

Even now, where she already was worried, beads of sweat start rolling down her forehead as she whips around looking in every direction imaginable for whatever movement she can catch.

“Stoic Glow,” a voice calls out.

Jumping slightly, Stoic turns around to face the captain of the solar guard.

“Yes, Captain?!” Stoic salutes.

“At ease,” Shining speaks as Stoic falls back into her wary posture. “You’ve been stressed out lately. Are you alright?”

“Yes, of course!” Stoic looks around shifty-eyed. “Why wouldn’t I be alright?”

“Well, a lot of the other guards have reported how strangely you’ve been behaving. Mainly when it comes to Anonymous.”

Stoic breaks form and caps her captain's mouth with a hoof.

“Shh! If you say his name, he will come,” she whispers, looking around.

Shining looks confused as he removes her hoof. “Yes, that’s what intelligent creatures do when you call for them.”

“We mustn't speak his name,” Stoic warns.

A long and tired sigh leaves Shining. “Is it the cuddling?”

As soon as the word ‘cuddle’ left his mouth, Stoic looks off into the distance with a haunting thousand yard stare.

“The horror,” she whispers to herself. “The horror.”

Even with all his years of training, Shining can’t help himself as he facehoofs. Slowly dragging it over his muzzle, a grunt of frustration escapes past his lips.

“Stoic, I’ll level with you. It’s weird. We all think it’s weird. But I believe you’re letting it get to you. He’s cuddled me more than a dozen times, and honestly, after a while, I began to enjoy it.”

“Enjoy it!” Stoic takes a few steps away from her captain. “Are you brainwashed like all the others?!”

“What? No! It’s just not as bad as you think.” Shining attempts to explain, losing himself in thought. “The way his hands dig into my chest fluff and scratch my ears. I feel more relaxed than I ever thought imaginable. Heck, it’s better than any spa I’ve been forced to visit with my wife!”

“You have been brainwashed!” Stoic sprints away, shouting, “You’re all freaks, you hear me?! Freaks!”

Shining can only stand there watching his second in command running away from him. Before he can call out to her, he notices something wrap around his hips from behind. Oh boy, he knows this feeling all too well.

“Hey, Anon.” Shining looks over his withers to see the tall human standing behind him.

“Hey, Shiny.” Anon picks up Shining to his chest and cradles him like a baby. “How’s your day been?”

Shining shivers as he feels Anon’s finger scratch under his chin. “Oh, you know... Cadance took me shopping today with Twilight.”

“Oh no! Tell me all about it.”

“Alright,” Shining answers with a content sigh as he leans his head against Anon's chest.

Stoic is out of breath as she leans against a wall. Everypony is crazy! At first, they were like her: thinking what Anon did was weird and strange, but after a while, they changed. They started liking it and even called her crazy for not enjoying it as much as them. She doesn’t know how, but it must be some kind of magic Anon has to control them!

It’s why she’s been keeping her distance, but it’s pushed her to such extreme exhaustion that she can hardly manage to stay on her hooves, let alone do her job! She feels so alone in the world. Not even the princesses could escape Anon’s clutches! In fact, it was the two sisters that fell first, then came the elements and everypony after that.

She may very well be the only creature on this planet that Anon hasn’t swayed yet. It’ll be tough, but she needs to rest. Running herself ragged will only lead to disaster as her senses begin to dull. Not only that, but she can’t run forever, she will need to fight back and reclaim everything Anon has stolen from her race! First, sleep, then everything else will come later.

Stoic trots to the only place she feels safe.

Sleep where the enemy least expects you to. That was one of the many things she was taught when she joined the guard. So here Stoic is, sleeping under the beast’s bed. It’s been a haven for her, but one that terrifies her to no end. She couldn’t afford to take off her armor, as it would make too much noise, and she never knows where Anon may be lurking.

Still, she lets her mind calm as her eyes become heavy. Just an hour or two will do her well; then she will return to her lifelong task of taking him down. Just before her eyes completely close, she hears the door to Anon’s room fly open. Her eyes lock to the door, and she spots the two bipedal legs. She brings a hoof to her mouth to silence the panicked breaths.

“Weird, I thought I sensed a sleepy pony in need of some cuddling?” Anon muses as he walks over and takes a seat on his bed.

Stoic holds her breath now as his legs disappear into the bed.

“Is he planning to take a nap now?!”

Feeling the anxiety starting to rise, Stoic decides to try and sneak away once he’s fallen asleep. So, while he’s lying in bed, she quietly turns around to the opposite side of the bed he got on, but her heart chills as she comes face to face with the upside down smile of Anon looking right at her.

“Found you,” he states grabbing her forehooves and dragging her out from under the bed.

“Ah! Help me! Somepony!” Stoic screams.

“Shhhh,” Anon whispers as he brings Stoic’s back to his chest. “It’s ok. No one is going to hurt you.”

All Stoic can do is look off into the distance and think pleasant thoughts as Anon runs his hand over her tummy nubs.

*stare*